Adelade Thunderbirds 36
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic are only a small step short of becoming the first team to qualify for the trans-Tasman netball league's semifinals for the fourth time in as many years.
New Zealand's best performed franchise moved to outright second in the 10-team league by outclassing the defending champion Adelaide Thunderbirds 55-36 in the South Australian state capital today.
The result should be enough to silence the side's critics for the time being at least as they secured their ninth win in 12 matches.
That leaves them needing only to beat the lowly Central Pulse in Taupo on May 2 to confirm their presence in the post-season playoffs.
There were those who felt the Magic were vulnerable heading into the penultimate round of the regular season but their name players dismissed such ill informed conjecture with another compelling performance.
The likes of Silver Ferns stars Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman and Casey Williams all stood tall against a Thunderbirds outfit who entered the contest in sixth place on the standings after posting just five victories.
The Australian bookmakers may have fancied the Adelaide side's chances today but their confidence was misplaced, particularly once Jamaican goal shoot Carla Borrego wilted under the suffocating pressure of tireless defender Williams.
Williams' close marking put Borrego off her game to such an extent that the 2010 competition's leading goalscorer put up just 10 shots at goal in the first half which the Magic dominated 23-15.
Borrego found the target just six times before coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson benched her in favour of goal attack Bianca Giteau, with Erin Bell donning the goal shoot bib.
That made no discernible difference as the Magic pulled away in the third quarter, enjoying a run of eight goals to one at one stage before ending the stanza 39-25 ahead.
Borrego returned to the court in the final quarter when she was used at the opposite end of the court in a defensive role.
But Van Dyk was close to her irresistible best as the 38-year-old class act again illustrated her enduring influence by slotting 43 goals from 47 attempts.
Adelaide's best on the scoresheet was Bell, who finished with 22 from 26, but Adelaide's offensive end never clicked as they registered their lowest score in league history.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 55 (Irene van Dyk 43/47, Julianna Naoupu 12/17, Jamilah Gupwell 0/1) Adelaide Thunderbirds 36 (Erin Bell 22/26, Bianca Giteau 8/12, Carla Borrego 6/10). Halftime: 23-15.
- NZPA
